Easy to use in auto mode; highly flexible in multiple modes

Long learning curve for beginning photographer to use all the features.

Phenomenal camera offering many professional features that even a beginner can use. There's a big upside to my ability to learn and grow with this camera

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS Rebel
Pentax MZ-10

Nice metering
Good Af speed
Easy to use
Grid lines

Cheep flimsy feeling.
Flash is downgraded from the N70 big time.

Is this really a Nikon product? What happend? I don't say this to downgrade thoes who decided to keep it (which I did not). However there is a significant differnce between using plastic (AKA polycarbonate) to make something lighter, more durable, or to make it cheaper. I think the later statment is more appropriate. It certainly does have a cheap feel to it. I never would have thought that Nikon would do such a thing. I took it back and bought the N90, and will not regret doing so. I don't think you will have to wait too long to "pick one up" from ebay.

Customer Service

You will need it!

Similar Products Used:

N70
N90
Canon A1

Easy function controls, selective area AF is great, great feel but only if you attach the MB-16 battery pack. If not, the camera is way too small in your hands.. and I have small hands. It also has a very quiet shutter release and a lighted LCD panel upon request.

I have not had this camera a very long time so I am hoping there are none, but I have heard a few bad things so far. It only has to last me until I can afford to buy an F-100 next year. The push-button rewind system has quirks just as it did with the N70, sometimes it has a little trouble re-setting itself and will read "err" on the LCD panel. It doesn't meter with MF lenses but can't you still use them?

Simple controls with an excellent AF system makes this a step up from the N70. The N80 is a much quieter camera in it's shutter operation which is good for street/documentary photography. The construction is not usual Nikon quality and the fact that it is made in Thailand scares me. I will ironically be in Thailand for the biggest shoot of my career in a few months, so maybe I can easily get it fixed there if I have any problems with it, hehe! But I will definately take a back-up camera body. I've been told to never buy a new camera that hasn't spent much time on the market because it hasn't really been tested and all the quirks worked out. If you can wait to buy a new camera and you want an N80, wait until next summer, by then maybe Nikon will correct any and all problems the typical owner has had with this camera so far. The camera - battery pack combo cost me about $600 which is half the cost of the F100 and has most of the same functions but little of the durability.

Customer Service

Not needed... yet

Similar Products Used:

N70 with assorted Nikkor lenses

Almost all features you can imagine and use
Easy to use
Good and fast AF
Gridlines & DOF preview

Cheap plastic body

After long time reviewing and looking for next camera I have finaly made a decision to buy new Nikon N80, nice and good camara i have tought. Offers a lot for it´s price and i was realy not worried about plastic body, polycarbonate is a very durable and strong plastic material (quite some years experiance with plastic moulding), until dynamic AF bottom did fall of. Only after shooting fourth roll. It is not a plastic who is a problem at this camera, it is a design. Nikon realy didn´t make a good job with this camera, and i would recomed save some 100´s more and buy F100.

Customer Service

Now i will need it

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N60
Olimpus AF 20 DLX

DOF Preview
Spot Metering
Ease of use

None

I have had the F80 for about 4 months and I have had no problems with it whatsoever. The feel and ease of use is amazing.
The metering has been accurate and the spot meter has saved my ass on more then one occasion. One complaint is the view finder. On bright days the screen is dim and if weren't for the LCD display I wouldn't be able to read the shutter speed and aperture readings. However, for the price it's still the best camera without a doubt.
The ease of use over the N70 is definetely worth the camera. The user interface is really nice. The price is alot better than the F100, and you get alot of the same features. Nikon products, for me, are better than the Canon products. I tend to get much better pictures from the Nikon cameras I have owned over the Canon cameras that I used to use.

Customer Service

Have not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70
Nikon F100
Canon Rebel
Canon Elan IIe

DOF
Spot and Centre Metering
Easy access controls
Great feel

None so far

I have had the F80 for about 2 months and I have had no problems with it whatsoever. The feel and ease of use is amazing.
The metering has been accurate and the spot meter has saved my ass on more then one occasion. One complaint is the view finder. On bright days the screen is dim and if weren't for the LCD display I wouldn't be able to read the shutter speed and aperture readings. However, for the price it's still the best camera without a doubt.

Customer Service

None Needed

Similar Products Used:

N70, Elan IIe

Easier to switch modes, Depth of field preview, Less chunky, Dioptre, More configurable. Illuminated LCD.

Does not play well with non-AF lenses.
Program-Shift has a couple of bugs bug in it: You can't go to minimum aperture (f22) in low light levels.(As was possible with N70) Also, when you rotate main-command dial several clicks past maximum aperture (f2.8) in program mode, you have to turn as many clicks to get back to max aperture. Depth-of-field preview cancels AE Lock. (When AE lock is programmed to stay locked until you press it again). While Depth-of-Field preview is pressed, you can't change apertures.

Mixed feelings, I like the new shape and handling characteristics, but the little quirks I found are quickly diminishing my view of Nikon's quality these days. You'd think that you would geta better product for the price you have to pay these days.
I don't think Nikon thoroughly tested the new features in the N80 to ensure it operates correctly before releasing it.

Customer Service

Lately, when I've had to deal with Nikon to explain problems, I've always had the impression that they were not as competent as I had expected them to be.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N70, N80, F3, FE, FE2, FM2

-Good performance (AF and metering)
-ALMOST all the features U can ever think of
-Good Lanscape camera but (see later)
-built in speedlight
-on demand grid lines

-Uninspiring and doubtful body built
-Can't meter with older AIS Nikkors

It was really a hard time for me to decide on either the F80, F90X and F100. The F80 is such a lovely little camera that is so suited for landscape ppl. However, the matter in doubt is that of its durability. And it does not metter with my older Nikkors (AIS). This is not good.....my lenses cost more than my bodies. It was very tempting at first but in the end I swapped the F80 back for a F90X. The F90X may not be as feature laden but it holds its own. Furthermore, the F90X is definitely much better built and offers good value for money too considering the F100 is out. F100 was left out as it was not economically viable for me.......wished I could afford it.
Bottom line is:
1)If you are a season Nikon user with many older Nikkors and a rough person like me......consider wisely.....the F90X or F100 might be a better choice. Remember our old Nikkors are gems.

2)If you are a beginner, do not own any or many older Nikkors and careful with your equipment. Pls consider the F80 seriously......it is a very good camera. I envy too that the fact that I could not have bought the F80 due to the reasons stated above even with the pruchase of the F90X.
I think Nikon are !@#$%&* for putting me in this situation.....hahahhaha
But it has always been the case with Nikon....you are expected to pay for quality. But....if the F80 was a bit tougher and accept older Nikkors.....no one will buy the F100.

Customer Service

I returned the F80 for a F90X.

Similar Products Used:

EOS 50E, F3HP, F90X, F100

price
weight
DOF
multi-zone AF
manual cable
ease of use
rich features

if this makes sense - it almost feels too small

I hear so many people talk about this camera feeling "cheap." People, it's under $500 and has way, way more features than the N90 (which is far more money). Some people complain since it's not made in Japan like all previous nikons. Who cares if the pictures look good? The bottom line is that this camera has the right price and all the right features. You'd be hard pressed to find features that come with the F100 that don't come with the N80. I've had this camera for a few months and can say, without a doubt, it blows the doors off the N70. This is the only camera you can get and use right out of the box without having to read the manual. Nikon clrealy listened to their customers and put out a great product.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it yet

Similar Products Used:

FM2, 6006, N70

Excellent handling
Logically laid-out controls
Good features
Quiet shutter/mirror/film transport system
Unique on demand grid-line
Dynamic AF with Lock-On
Built-in flash exposure compensation
Trustworthy fill-flash

Noisy AF
No metering with MF lenses (problably not a problem with the target intermeidate photographers grown up in the AF era)

Some people are concerned about the use of polycarbonate on the F80. This is a trend set by another leading brand and apparently the targetted consumers (intermediate photographers) have no complaints because (a)they are unlikely to use the camera roughly, (b)the camera is lighter and (c)the price is reasonable. When the competitors' "plastic cameras" are selling like hot cakes, it is sensible for Nikon to gain their share in this fiercely competitive market sector with similarly quality models. The F80 has an alloy chassis so its basic rigidity should not be a matter of concern. For the demanding advanced/professional users, there are currently F3, FM2, F5 and F100 to choose from.

I have no bad experience with my F80 whatsoever. In the contrary it works faultlessly. Nikon's attention to detail is also good: unique on demand grid-lines, use of traditional shutter release cable, built-in flash positioned higher than most other cameras, logically designed and placed controls, etc. Overall, a very nice camera stricking a fine balance between features, weight, construction, handling and price.

Customer Service

not required

Similar Products Used:

Simila products used:
Nikon F90X
Canon EOS50E (Elan IIe)